Heason Technologies takes on the TwinSpin range of precision 'bearing reducer' gearboxes from Spinea

Heason Technologies Group has added the innovative TwinSpin gearbox from Spinea to its wide range of specialist motion control products. This unique zero-backlash gearbox integrates a high-precision and high torque, trochoidal gear system into a compact sealed housing that includes heavy duty radial/axial output bearings. The space-saving single unit concept is referred to as a 'bearing reducer' as it replaces the need and expense of additional load support mechanics and its compact design and high torque-to-size ratio offers exceptional application and cost reduction advantages in printing, packaging and converting machinery, electronics production and test equipment, robotics systems and other high-precision/high torque motion control applications.

The TwinSpin uses a patented trochoidal gear reduction principle that includes two offset 'transformation members' fitted with eccentric planetary gears that mesh via precision needle rollers in a large gear ring - as the input shaft rotates the eccentric action of the planetary gearing causes the outer ring to rotate in the same direction.

The input to output reduction is determined by the ratio between the planetary and ring gear teeth.

With almost 50% simultaneous gear meshing, the teeth are able to efficiently transmit very high torque with backlash-free performance.

The robust TwinSpin bearing reducer is also able to withstand as much as five times overload torque under emergency stop conditions and the torsional and axial stiffness characteristics of the complete unit make it suitable for the most demanding applications.

Furthermore, the design boasts a low input inertia rating allowing fast response in a servo system and noise and vibration levels are suited to sensitive application areas such as precision measurement and vision inspection machinery, automated laboratory and medical equipment.

The net result is an innovative gearbox design that will outperform conventional planetary gearboxes and offers a much improved torque output to size ratio than the harmonic style gearbox with the added benefit of the integral axial/radial output bearing for a very compact gearbox solution.

Comparative tests for the TwinSpin and competitive products reveal that as much as 100% more torque rating (continuously rated, acceleration and emergency) is available for similar sized units with other advantages ranging from an increased maximum input speed, lower input inertia, more than twice the rating for axial/radial force and tilting moment; and with a similar measured values for tilting rigidity and torsional stiffness.

The TwinSpin design allows bi-directional operation with suitable clamping allowing either the output shaft or the main housing to rotate the load.

It is also possible to reverse drive the gearbox for speed increase applications or use a differential configuration where all three parts may rotate freely.

This flexibility allows the use of just four frame configurations in a full range that include face and flange mounted housings with either solid or though-hole input shafts.

The TwinSpin T Series is the most compact design and essentially represents the standard version of the bearing reducer range.

The flangeless, face mounted unit covers nine frame sizes with nominal outside diameters from 63 mm to 300 mm and with standard reduction ratios from 33:1 to 191:1.

The rated output torque is from 37 Nm to 2940 Nm with generous acceleration and braking torque ratings of 74 Nm and 7350 Nm respectively.

A range of input shaft configurations are available including smooth, key-way, splined and semi-hollow shafts with special requirements to order.

Spinea include extremely detailed performance specification information for the TwinSpin's speed/torque ratings, accuracy and precision, and torsional/axial stiffness characteristics.

Based upon extensive statistical analysis gained over many years of manufacture, this information is available in an 88 page catalogue available from Heason Technologies.

The catalogue, available in hard copy or as a PDF, provides the power transmission system designer with an invaluable resource including detailed specifications and drawings for each model as well as performance characteristics, selection and installation information.

The range is also supported with comprehensive selection software and meticulous comparative analysis of Harmonic Drive, Cyclo and other competitive ranges of gearbox products.

Heason Technologies have built a wide-ranging knowledge of zero-backlash gearbox systems gained through more than 25 years as a main distributor for the German Harmonic Drive company.

This extensive experience attracted Spinea to Heason, and together the two companies are able to offer the UK market both a technically and commercially competitive alternative for high torque, zero-backlash gear reduction applications.

Spinea s.r.o, the Slovakian gearbox and power transmission systems developer is ISO 9001:2000 registered and has been manufacturing the TwinSpin bearing reducer gearbox for more than 10 years with large volume exports to the German and Italian machine building and robotics markets with steadily increasing sales to users throughout Europe, Asia and North America.

As a major player in many diverse markets including Aerospace and Defence, Printing, Semiconductor and Fibre-Optic Manufacturing Equipment, Simulation and Robotics, Heason Technologies are able to supply the new TwinSpin bearing reducer range as part of a complete motion control component solution or within a customised automation system.

It is also envisaged that the TwinSpin will be applied to specialist custom applications where Heason Technologies integrate its range of frameless servo motors into the bearing reducer allowing a complete high-torque rotary positioning actuator with a large through-hole for cable management, laser beam delivery or slip ring assemblies etc